September 11th
Created | Updated Sep 13, 2002
The World Trade Center Attack: A Chronicle of the Events of 11th September 2001
U173978On the 11th September, 2001, the USA was witness to the most horrendous attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor. The audacious attack received condemnation around the world, as the most visible symbol of free trade, the 110 storey Twin Towers of the World Trade Center (WTC), in Lower Manhattan, New York, disappeared from the Manhattan skyline forever.
This entry serves to chronicle the events of that fateful day.
Times are given as New York time.
0830-0845
Air Traffic control at Boston suspect that something is amiss when American Airlines Flight 11 and Flight 175, both bound for Los Angeles, deviate from their course and head toward New York. Staff try to contact the pilots, who confirm that both planes are being hijacked. The FBI is informed.
0845
Staff who work at the World Trade Center complex, and in the immediate area, are just arriving for work. It is a clear blue morning, the Manhattan skyline set against a cloudless sky. The scene is set to change dramatically; American Airlines Flight 11, on a steep descent, crashes into the north Tower of the Twin Towers, at the level of the 90th floor. The plane, and the north face of the tower, explodes in a ball of flame and fuel. Passengers on the plane phone relatives informing them that hijackers armed with knives and a box cutter have taken control of the plane, minutes before impact.
News networks were quick to respond, as were the emergency services. Staff who were in the World Trade Center are told to evacuate the North Tower. Stairwells are clogged, and lifts are overfull with people desperate to escape. Live footage is beamed to the world of the unimaginable; what must be a tragic accident. However, it was what was to happen next, a twist of the most cruel, which confirmed America's worst fear.
0903
When news crews are filming the burning north tower live, a second plane, United Airlines Flight 175 approaching from the south, crashes into the south tower at the level of the 65th, exploding, like the first, in a ball of flame. Any theory that this may have been an horrific accident are crushed. Both towers are now burning.
Observers are stunned, as well as news crews. There are still people in the twin towers in the floors above the sites of impact, waving curtains to indicate to the rescue personnel that they are still alive.
0917
The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) shuts down all New York airports.
0921
New York Port Authority shuts all bridges and tunnels out of Manhattan.
0930
President Bush, on a visit to a primary school in Florida, is informed by his Secretary of State of the incident. His expression visibly changes. He makes an announcement that the country has suffered a terrorist attack.
0938
Evacuation of the Pentagon and The Senate, begins.
0940
For the first time in US history, the FAA orders all flight operations at US airports to be halted.
0943
American Airlines Flight 77, departing from Washington's Dulles Airport for Los Angeles, crashes into the Pentagon, causing part of its outer wall to collpase. Staff are still being evacuated.
0945
The White House is evacuated.
0947
President Bush leaves Florida for the Nebraska army base, where, in a time of war, the President would take command.
Meanwhile, back in New York, people still trapped in the WTC are now hurling themselves from the building in a desperate attempt to save themselves.
1005
Any chance, however, that those still trapped could still be rescued, is cruelly dashed. The south tower, its supporting columns melted by the heat of the blast, collapses like a card house. Emergency teams working at the base of the tower are now trapped under the debris.
1008
Crack shots from the secret service are deployed around Lafyette Park, opposite the White House.
1010
Part of the Pentagon collapses. At the same time, United Airlines Flight 93 crashes south-east of Pittsburgh in Somerset County, possibly for Camp David, Capitol Hill or the White House.
1013
The United Nations building is evacuated.
1022
Then in Washington, the State and Justice departments are evacuated, along with the World Bank.
1024
The FAA order that all transatlantic flights to the US are diverted to Canada.
1028
The remaining north tower of the WTC, dissolves into a cloud of smoke. In a scene not too dissimilar to that of Independance Day, panicked news crew, staff of the WTC complex and bystanders, run for their lives, some down the subway, others into buildings. The whole area is shrouded in dust.
In midtown Manhattan, in Times Square, astonished onlookers watch transfixed at the big screen, as they are witness to the fourth largest building in the world, disappear before their very eyes.
1045
The rest of the federal buildings in Washington are evacuated.
1046
US Defence Secretary, Colin Powell, cuts short his visit to Latin America to return back to the US.
1053
New York primary elections are postponed. The plea for more blood donations is made, and generously responded to by New Yorkers, desparate to help the wounded.
1054
Israel evacuates all diplomatic missions.
1102
New York Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, orders that the south side of Lower Manhattan is shut.
1118
American Airlines confims the loss of two aircraft. American Flight 11, a Boeing 767 flying from Boston to Los Angeles, had 81 passengers and 11 crew aboard.
Flight 77, a Boeing 757 en route from Washington's Dulles Airport to Los Angeles, had 58 passengers and six crew members aboard.
1126
United Airlines confims that United Flight 93, en route from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco, has crashed in Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. The airline also says that it is 'deeply concerned' about United Flight 175.
1159
The confirmation that United Airlines Flight 175, from Boston to Los Angeles, has crashed with 56 passengers and nine crew members aboard. Emergency personnel at the scene say there are no survivors.
1204
Los Angeles Airport is evacuated.
1215
San Fransisco Airport is evacuated and shut down. Land borders with Canada and Mexico are on the highest state of alert.
1304
President Bush, announces that, 'Make no mistake, the United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.'
1327
A state of emergency is declared in Washington city.
1344
The Pentagon announces that warships and aircraft carriers will be sent to protect the West and East Coasts of the US.
1430
The FAA makes an announcement to inform that there will be no commercial air traffic leaving or arriving in the US until Wednesday.
1449
Mayor Giuliani says that subway and bus service are restored in New York City. When asked about the possible death toll, he says, 'I don't think we want to speculate about that, more than any of us can bear.'
1555
Giuliani now says the number of critically injured in New York City is up to 200 with 2,100 total injuries reported.
1606
California Governor Gray Davis dispatches search and rescue teams to New York City.
1610
The 47 storey 7 World Trade Center (Soloman Brothers building) is on fire. The whole area looks as if it has been decimated by a large earthquake.
1625
Wall Street, the Nasdaq, and the American Stock Exchange announce that they will remain closed until Wednesday. This is probably the most important economic move, as the US economy was volatile to begin with, and there is no indication of the devastating effect that this attack will have on an already fragile world economy.
1720
7 World Trade Center collapses. Other buildings are feared to collapse as they burn into the late afternoon.
1810
Mayor Giuliani urges all New Yorkers to stay home until Wednesday. Within the rubble, survivors use their moblie phones to indicate that they are still alive.
1840
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld holds a news conference in the Pentagon, noting the building is operational, saying that 'It will be in business tomorrow.'
1854
President Bush arrives back at the White House aboard Marine One and is scheduled to address the nation at 2030.
1902
The Marriot Hotel in the vicinity of the WTC is reported to be on the verge of collapse.
1945
The New York Police Department says that at least 78 officers are missing. The city also says that as many as half of the first 400 firefighters on the scene were killed, most of them who were at the base of the south tower when it collapsed.
2030
President Bush addresses the nation, with the following words:
Good evening.
Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts.
The victims were in airplanes or in their offices, secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers. Moms and dads. Friends and neighbours.
Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.
The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.
These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.
Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.
Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbours who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, DC, to help with local rescue efforts.
Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.
The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow.
Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.
The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.
America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.
Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.'
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time.
None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night and God bless America.
The rescue effort continues well into the night, and the next day, when the US awoke to a new dawn. The Manhattan skyline is changed forever, as is the optimism of the 21st Century. Our carefree lifestyle has been demolished in a cloud of smoke, and lies in ruins with the dust and rubble that settle on the streets of Lower Manhattan. Any concept of a new world order has been cruelly dashed, with this most simple of acts, being executed with its most devastating results. No one could have dreamed, even in the worst of nightmares that this could happen to the last of the world's superpowers.
No one dares to imagine what may rise out of the flames.
September 11th: my acount
U193639I moved out of my parents house September 10th 2001 to attend college in Athlone(Ireland). The next day i awoke at 6am for my first proper working day at my new job in kilmartins N6 service station. At around 3:30-4pm i was serving this lady as usual, scanning in her items and bagging them when she asked if i had heard the news. i told i had been there since 7 that morning and hadnt heard any news as there was no tv or radio in the shop. i was absolutly unprepared for what she told me:"a plane has crashed into the world trades center and one of thems collapsed." "WHAT!!" i shrieked. my head was suddenly filled with images of when i visited New York two yrs previously with my family and how awe struck i was at how incredibly high these buildings were. the thought of them not being there made me numb. the woman seemed to be very calm about telling me this news and just before she left she told me "the pentagons on fire aswell" but it was the look she fixed me with was as if she was trying to say "come on im only joking!"....which was what i actually believed! i even asked a fellow worker "its not true is it?!" to which she replied "no she was only pulling your leg as if that would happen!" oh how i wish it had been some sick joke. but only a few minutes later more people were coming in with the same news and the same dumbstruck faces.
i arrived back at my place at 6pm and the pictures i saw just lost me for words.they were worse than i had even imagined. i had a sick feeling in my stomach and a weird sense that it felt like the world was coming to an end. i wondered if the family who we had stayed with in NY, who were old friends of my mums had by any chance been there themselves but then i rememberd they lived in Queens and the chance was very small. all night i watched as the story unravelled. my mum rang me and she had the same disbelief as myself. she had rang the womans sister whos family we had stayed with in NY and my worst fears were confirmed: her husband who was a carpenter had started renovation work on the 90th floor of one of the towers the week preceding the tragedy and they hadnt heard anything from him.
2weeks later my father rang me with the news that they had found his body.
since September 11th ive become very aware that life is very short and shouldnt be spent worrying about little things or fighting with one another.
September 11, 2001
U95228Darren was waiting at my house when I returned home from work. He peered through the windows looking anxious, and when I saw the expression on his face I knew something terrible had happened.
“Have you seen the news?” he asked. I shook my head. “New York has been attacked.”
I frowned in confusion. “What do you mean, attacked?”
“The World Trade Center is gone. Just gone.”
I shook my head again. That was impossible. Nothing could make those towers just disappear.
We went inside and I switched on the TV, and what unfolded there was unbelievable. Time after time they re-played the scene; two passenger jets crashed into the towers. Then, later, the towers fell, collapsing in on themselves like paper, leaving nothing but a pillar of dust and ash.
“My God! Benny works in that building!”
I could not tear myself away from the television and it’s continuous repeating of the disaster, but it did not feel real. I felt as though I was watching a movie, half-expecting to see Bruce Willis save the world again.
Over and over, I watched the towers burn and fall. The newscasters were talking but I barely heard what they said. All I could think of was my friend Benny, who should have been there.
After an hour I tried to call his home but I couldn’t get through. It soon became clear that the devastation was so great that communication was next to impossible. All I could do was wait and watch, numb with horror, while Darren made coffee.
At six o’clock I switched on the computer, hoping that there may be some good news, but fearing that the news may be bad. It never took so long to connect and download my e-mail as it did that day.
I froze when I saw the e-mail from Benny’s girlfriend. No subject line, no clue to hint what the news might be.
Deep breath.
Click.
“We’re OK,” she said. “Benny wasn’t in work this morning. We’re all safe, now heading upstate. Will talk to you later.”
For the first time since hearing the news, I cried.
U191730
I am from Scotland in the Uk but was working in Baltimore that summer and had a really good time. I finished work on the 8th of September and flew down to New Orleans on the 10th to meet up with friends. They had been working in new hampshire and flew from boston airport [where I believe one of the doomed flights left from] to new orleans on the 9th.
We went out to celebrate my friends birthday and our reunion [haddn't seen them in about 3 months] and were lying in bed, hungover when the hotel phone rang. It was my friends dad back in the UK telling us to turn on the TV. It was about 9:40am and just after lunchtime back home and, after about 3 hours sleep we were not to pleased at someone phoning. I passed the phone to my friend who's dad told him to turn on the TV and we saw the image of the trade centre's on fire with the caption "america under attack" It then flashed to washington to show a hole at the side of the pentagon. We thought the country was being bombed and it was about ten minutes into the broadcast before anyone mentioned the planes crashing.
We were completly shocked at what happened and I began to think about people I was working with, some of whome I've still not heard from. On my flight over I met a girl who was working in an office in new york...several people I worked with were traveling round america after we finsihed work and I don't know where they went.
I have an aunt in new jersey whose husband drives freight trucks for a living and, for the first time in over a year, had to take something into new york city. After my Aunt heard of the accident she called his cell phone which was out of service, called the company he worked for...radio's were jammed and tried various other methods of communication before he finally phone over 2 hours after the event after being stuck in a traffic jam with no reception on his phone and no communication on his radio.
They did not know anyone who was in the trade centre but it seamed like everyone they knew, knew someone who worked there.
When I went to New York about 10 days after the events it was not the place I expected, it was very quiet and low key, I stayed in the mid-town broadway area and it was amazing. The streets were lined with american flags, firehouses littered with floral tributes, cards, pictures. One firehouse on 8th Ave and 54th Street even had a letter of thanks from a man who was pulled out the centre by one of their firefighters. the walls of Madison Square Garden and Penn Station were lined with messages from worried family's looking for, probably dead, family members in a glimpse of hope someone will have seen them alive.
I was standing outside the Aladdin Youth Hostle on 8th and 43rd street when a plane flew over head. I looked up, the man next to me looked up and once the plane had past he shook his head and said to me "I think people in this town will be doing that for long time"
So true...it was a very tragic event, probably the first 'where were you when...' even in my lifetime and i'm glad I was in the USA to witness the mood of the country and the way it, on the most part, came together and bonded and showed how great a nation it is.
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